Weather Report: Tom Skilling 7-Day Forecast WGN-TV Weather Center

No rainy nights in Georgia: The evolution of the Great Atlanta Drought

November 18, 2007|By Tom Skilling

In 2004 and 2005 it was flooding--not drought--that plagued the Atlanta area as the remnants of hurricanes Cindy, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne brought heavy rain to the area. And just a year ago, the region was classified only as abnormally dry. However, 2007 is threatening to become Atlanta's driest year on record (since 1879), and the city has descended into exceptional drought, creating critical water shortages.

La Nina pattern promises little relief

Dry weather has plagued Atlanta in 2007--especially in the spring. Tropical cyclones that typically bring heavy rains have bypassed the area this fall, and the developing La Nina doesn't bode well for heavy winter precipitation.

Lake Lanier's shrinking water level

Water levels on Lake Lanier, the primary source of Atlanta's water supply, are expected to drop below historic lows before the end of the year.

Sources: U.S. Drought Monitor; Mike Griesinger, NWS-Atlanta; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

WGN-TV/Steve Kahn

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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.